Form bursting and stacking apparatus



1941- J. Q. SHERMAN ETAL 2,252,733

FORM BURSTING AND STACKING APIARATUS Filed Aug. 25, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet1 IN\IIENTORS 1/ QJHERM/I/V ix mmiizzi 1941- V J. Q. SHERMAN EI'AL ,2

FORM BURSTING AND STACKING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 25, 1938 s-sheets-shet 2INVENTORS .SHEKM/i/V [/67 Q S 6 farm/wen I ORNEY Aug. 19, 194.1. 4]. 5.SHERMAN EIAL FORM BURSTING AND STACK ING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 25, 1938 5Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR5 1/6? .fiflERM/W Y 56 Farm/ am TTORNEY Aug. 19,1941. J. Q. SHERMAN E'I'AL 2,252,733

l FORM BURSTING AND STACKING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 25, 1 938 5Sheets-Shet 4 Aug. 19, 1941. .1. Q. SHERMAN ETAL FORM BURSTING ANDSTACKING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 25, 1938 5 Sheets- Sheet 5 INVENTORSz/AZSM/WA/V BY Rd F 7'6HFOK5 I to ivmmwjmm "synchronized with the stripsevering device.

Patented Aug. 19, 1941 UNITED STAT Es "PA EN orricai roam, nuss'rmo sivns'racimvc Arenas-ms mm o. Sherman me as... G. Ratchford, DaytomOhio;said Batehford asstlnor'to said the estate of said lolm Q. ApplicationAugust :5, 193a, s i-aim. 226,780

43 (cuss-s1) ceeding impressions into individual sheets, slips,

or forms.

A further object of the invention is to provide for automatic stackingof thesevered sheets in an orderly fashion without the necessity ofturning or reversingthe individual sheets.

A- further object of the invention is to provide .means for insuring thecomplete separation of successive portions of the stock strip, leavingclean edges thereon and on the severed sheet.

' A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thepresent character having means for removingfrom the ultimate sheets anyevidence, marking or configuration incident to To facilitate division ofa strip or web into a succession of individual sheets such printed webor strip may be transversely scored or weakened intermediate succeedingimpressions taneously with the imprinting operation or subsequentthereto, as most convenient, preparatory to being separated on suchtransverse division line. or in lieu of such preliminary scoring orweakening the strips may be sheared or cut between succeeding formswithout such preliminary weakening.

In the present invention there is contemplated either bursting orshearing the strips transversely at predetermined spaced intervals intoindividual sheets, and in order that the strip and severing apparatusmay be properly synchronized, the strip is preferably positivelyadvanced to the strip severing means by pin type feeding devicesoperatively engageable in marginally punched holes in the strips, whichpunched marginal areas are progressively trimmed therefrom as the stripsadvance, after which the severed sheets are automatically stacked eitherone upon the other or one behind the other in orderly succession.

The object of the invention is to provide a strip feeding, severing andsheet stacking apsimulparatus which may not only be economically con-.

'structed and operated, but which will be highly efficient in use, rapidand automatic in its action,

uniform in operation, of relatively simple construction havingcomparatively few operating parts and unlikely to get out of repair.

'A" primary object of the invention is to pro- I A further object of theinvention is to enable the advancement ofthe strips to be accuratelytheir passage through the machine and the effect of the strip feedingoperation.

I A further-object of the invention is to provide a strip severing andsheet stacking apparatus embodying the advantageous structural featuresand inherent meritorious characteristics herein disclosed.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will morefully appear in the specification, the invention intended to beprotected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction,the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or theirequivalents, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

Referring to the. accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferredbut obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of theinvention, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled apparatusembodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation from the right of Figs. 1 and 2; illustratingthe-gear train for transmitting diflerential speed to the differentoperating devices. I 1

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail viewof the gear transmission trainlocated at the opposite side of the machine for driving the bursting o'rsevering rolls in unison. v

Fig.. 6 is a front elevation of the bursting or severing rolls partly insection.

Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively front elevation and sectional views of africtional type feeding means for advancing. the stock strips to thesevering devices, Fig, 8 being taken on line 8-8 of'Figfll.

Fig. 9 is a'detail view of the trimmer or slitter' device "for removingthe marginally punched areas of the strips.

1 Fig. 10 is a side elevation illustrating an alterrial, which may belocated trating the successive operations performed thereon.

Like parts are of reference throughoutthe several views.-

The apparatus forming the subject matter hereof is of relatively smalland compact construction. It is preferablyn ounted on a pedestal f ortable 1 and is adapted to be 'motor driven'by an electric motor 2.operated upon may be supplied from stock rolls or from supply packets ofzig-zag folded mate- 4 onvthe shelf 4 at the front of the supportingtable ;,I.

' other by transverse 6 which forms a guide over which the supplyadjustable thereon The operating parts. of the apparatus located on topof the table are frame including upstanding parallel side plates -5,which are fixedly interconnected with each tie rods at spaced intervals.

At the front of the frame is a transverse tie rod which carries guidefingers a into and out of overhanging relation with the margins of thestrip. By to and fro adjustment of the guide fingers l the apparatus maybe accommodated to strip material of different widths, or the path oftravel of the material into and through the apparatus may be laterallyvaried. Immediately beyond the rod 5 is a transverse rotary shaft 8journaled strip is drawn and in the sideframes 5 and carrying the stripfeedper se, forms no'part of but is of acharacter similar to that shown,de-

ing means. The strip feeding means may be frictional and comprise africtional roller a carried upon the shaft 8, with whichcooperates apressure roller was shown in Fig. 8. In such case the strip material 3passes between the rollers 9 and to, where it is subjected to frictionalcontact thereof and is advanced by the rotation of such rollers.However, lieu of such frictional feeding means, positive pin typefeeding mechanism is preferred. Such positive feeding means insures theaccurate presentation of succeeding transverse weakened division lines Hof the stock strip 3 at the strip severing position. To this end thereis mounted upon the transverse feed shaft 8 a pair of relatively spacedpin wheel units I2 circirmferentially spaced pins 13 progressivelyengageable in marginally punched feed holes it in the strip material 3.The sole purpose of such marginally punched areas of the strip is toafford positive feeding engagement with the pin type feeding device l2.1 when having performed its feeding function, the marginal areas of thestrip 3 may be longitudinally severed from the body of the strip bymeans of slitter discs l5 coacting with the pin wheel units I! at theinner side of the pins l3 and the The slitter or trimmer discs ii arecarried by arms l6 adjustably mounted upon a transverse tie rod I1 forto and fro lateral adjustment in conformity with the adjustment of thepin, type units 12.

the present invention scribed and claimed in copending' applicationsSerial Nos.'1l5,804 and 116,552.

Passing beyond the feeding means, whether 0:

indicated by similar characters having radially projecting marginallypunched holes l4.

The particular trimmer mechanism,

frictional or positive pin type character, the advanced portion of, thestrip passes.intermeand operate ascutting' strip; If, however, as

's'ti ip} has been diate a pair of severing rolls l8 and IS.-- The roll18 has embedded in and forming lines 'of demarkation between succeedingsections or sheets to be severed therefrom, the Harlem blades 20 of theroll l8 are sharpened blades for severing the is preferable, the stockpreviously provided with a suc- 'c'ession of longitudinally disposedtransverse The strip material to be journaledin a supporting severingblade 20.

" ing edge.

weakenedlines, then the blade 20 of the rolll8 c is preferably dulled orrounded upon its engag- This blade'2il is preferably embedded in a bodyof rubber or other resilient yielding material 2! which iscompressible-as such-portion enclosing the blade engages under pressurewith the strip and the opposing roll |.9.- The roll I8 is preferablyprovided with a longitudinal groove or recess in its periphery in whichis received a channel shaped mountingZZ having at the middle thereof alongitudinal slot formed by upstanding flanges 23 in which isseated theSeated within the channel mount 22 at opposite sides of the bladezfl'are longitudinal strips 2| of compressible or resilient yieldingmaterial such as rubber, or'a yieldingly I. mounted pressure strip. Theopposing roll I9 is The engagement of the likewise formed withlongitudinal grooves or recesses 24 therein in which are seated strips25 of yielding resilient material,- preferably, although notnecessarily, provided in their peripheral faces with shallow registerwith the severing blade 20 as the rolls are rotated. The feeding unit I:and the severing rolls l8 and it are so timed and synchronized with eachsevering blade or blades 28 engage the strip coincident with thedivision lines between succeeding portions to be severed. If the striphas not been previously scored or weakened intermediate succeedingsections to be separated, the sharpened edge of the blade 28 cuts thestrip. However, if, as is preferred, the strip has been previouslyweakened by scoring, perforating or otherwise upon the transversedivision lines, the dull blade 20 performs a breaking or burstingoperation by forcibly pressing the strip coincident with its weakenedtransverse division line against the yielding abutment 25 of theopposing roller i9.

However, as the severing blade 20 in rotation of the roll l8 engages thestrip 3 adjacentto a division line on which it is to be severed, theextreme forward end of the strip is simultaneously engaged between apairof take-off rolls 2! and 28. The rolls 21 and 28 are actuated at agreater peripheral speed than the rolls l8 and i9. terminal end ofthe-strip between these mor rapidly rotating take-0K rolls 2'! and 28tends to accelerate the advancement of the terminal portion of the stripwhile the stock portion thereof is momentarilygripped under pressurebetween the severing blade 20 and its yielding abutment surface 25. Asresult thereof, theterminal portion of the J strip is preferablysimultaneously subjected to-bursting pressure between the rollers I8and'ldand to a longitudinal pulling strain by the iinfluence of therolls 2! and 23, which greatly inmates" the I the periphery thereof one;or mor severing blades which project slight- 1y beyond the periphery ofthe-roll. If the strip of material is not previously provided withtrans-c verse weakened division lines by scoring, perforating, orotherwise weakening the strip grooves 26 which other that as the rollsrotate the 2,252,733 severance of the strips by the severing blade 28whether it performs a cutting action or merely a bursting operation. Y

The strip having been severed intermediate y the rolls and I9, therebyforming -a terminal sheet 28, this severed sheet portion is advanced bythe rapidly rotating rolls 2'! and 28 at accelerated speed and thusmoves away from the stock portion of the strip. In practiceit has beenfound expedient to transmit to the takeof! rolls 2'! and 28 a peripheralspeed of--a'p-' proximately one and one-half times that of the severingrolls I8 and I 8.

Located beyond the take-oil rolls 3|! and 3| are disposed with theiraxes in a common plane inclined or divergent to that of the intermediaterolls 2! and 28. As shown in Fig. 3, the uppermost roll 30 is disposedslightly in advance of the perpendicular plane of its companion roll 3|.As result of this slight ofisetting of the third pair of feed rolls 30and 3|, the path of travel of the detached sheet 29 is deflected intoangular relation with the plane of its previous travel-by elevating therear transverse margin of the detached sheet and depressing the forwardtransverse margin thereof. The

:1 and 2a is" a third set of feed rolls 3|l and 3|. These rolls,

. 13 lower roller- 3| at a somewhat slower rate of speed thantheperipheral speed of the rollers 30 and 3| and the speed of deliveryof thesevered ,sheets 39. Asresult thereof, the severed-sheets arereceived upon the traveling belt 34- in. slightly overlapped relation asshown in Fig. 11. Beyond the travelinglendless belt, is a pairofauxiliary stacker rolls '31 by which the severed sheets. are

1 delivered into a suitable receiver 38. The stacker rolls 31 areactuated by a belt from the apron roll 35st a somewhat increasedperipheral speed whereby they are delivered from'the: traveling apronbelt 34 at a' greater rate of speed than r they travel on such beltconveyor. I

-timed sequence to the several operating parts may be employed. In Fig.4 the. parts are shown rolls and 3| are preferably operated at slightlyless peripheral speed than the intermediate feed rolls 2'! and 28. Asthe trailing edge of the detached sheet leaves the intermediate feedrolls 2I and 28 it is inclined to flip upward, due to the Variousmethods of transmitting'motion'in actuated by a continuing gear trainwherein a gear 48 upon the feed shaft] intermeslies with an idler gear4|, which in turn meshes with a gear 42 on the shaft of the lowermostsevering roll IS. The severing rolls I l and i8 areintergeared forunison rotation with each other at "the opposite side of the machineasshownin the detail view Fig. 6. As there shown, the shaft of thelowermost roll l9 carries at its opposite end a gear 43 whichintermeshes with a gear 44 on the shaft of the upper severing roll l8.This gear 44 is-adjustably secured by a slotted connection 45, Fig. 5,which enables sumcient relative adjustment of therolls I8 and I9 tosynchronize the severing blade 28 in proper relation with the lower rollIS; The gear 42 on the lower severing roll l9 intermeshes with theprimary driving gear 46, which is operated by the motor 2 to transmitmotion to'the entire-train- It also intermeshes with an idler gear 41,which in turn drives a gear 48 upbn the shaft 28 at increased speed toaccelerate the movement of the terminal portion of the strip as it isbeing severed from the supply portion thereof.- This gear 48 intum-meshes close contacting vertical position as shown inFig.

3. To this end there is provided beyond the rolls 30 and 3| a shelf 32,which is preferably slightly inclined upwardly from horizontal and whichsupports thereon loosely a follower board or support 33. This followeror support 33 is slidingly adjustable on the shelf 32 and is shiftedthereon by the accumulation of severed sheets 29. The severed sheet 29being ejected by the feed rolls 3!! and 3| in a downwardly and forwardlyin-.

clined direction contacts the face of the previously. deposited sheetand is diverted thereby downwardly until it too assumes a verticalposition .as shown in Fig. 3. The accumulation of severed sheets 29gradually pushes the follower board 33 outwardly upon thesupportingshelf 32, but maintains them in compact orderly fashion.

If instead of depositing the severed sheets in vertical position asshown in Fig. 3, which isquite suitable and desirable if the stockmaterial is suillciently heavy, such sheets if of thin material may bedeposited horizontally by a continuing delivery apparatus as shown inFig. 11. This de livery mechanism illustrated in Fig. 11 is supplementalto that shown in- Fig. 3 and provides a continuation beyond the rolls.3!! and 3| which are shown at the left of Fig. IL This delivery devicefor relatively thin flexible materiahincapable of being verticallysupported, comprises a traveling apron or belt 34 mounted on relativelyspaced rollers 35 for endless travel thereabout.

The rollers 35 are driven by a belt 36 from the with an idler gear 48and such idler 49 again meshes with the driving gear 50upon the shaft ofthe lowermost roll 3| of the stacker rolls or the third pair of feedingrolls. This gear, as will be noted, is of slightly larger size wherebythese rolls will be driven at a lesser peripheral speed, The upper rolls28 and 30 frictionally engage their companion rolls 2'! and 3| underpressure.

.-In lieu of a continuing "gear train as illustrated in Fig. 4, theseveraloperating parts may be actuated by a chain and sprocket drive asshown in Fig. 10. As therein shown, a continuous endless chain belt 5|engages successively the sprocket wheel 48' on the feed shaft 8 and thesprocket 42' on the shaft of the lower severing roll l8 and then engagesprogressively, an idler 41' and a sprocket 43" on the shaft of thelowermost intermediate feed roll 28.. Betwe n-this sprocket and thesprocket it"on the shaft of the lower roll 3| the chain passes beneathan idler sprocket 49'.,- The chain 5| is driven by sprocket 46' in turndriven by the actuating motor 2.

From the above description it will-be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing f the particularfeatures of adv ntage beforelenumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of partswithout de-.

Palm-Y e Principle involved or e c m ins 8310f its advantag j I I, I

Whil in order to comply with thestatute,

' the invention has been described in language more or lessspeciiic asto structural features,

' scope of the appended claims.

it-is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, but thatthe means and construction herein disclosedcomprisethe preferred form of several modes of putting the inventioninto effect, and the in or modifications within the legitimate and validHaving thus described our invention; we

'claim: a v

1. In a strip severing apparatus wherein suecessive portions of acontinuous strip ofmaative to advance the severed terminal portion ofthe strip at an inclination to the plane of its previous travel at alesser rate of speed than vention is therefore claimed in anyof-itsfornis .7

sheet is advanced at increased speed relative to the supply strip andsubsequently tilted to enterial having therein a succession oftransverse weakened division lines are advanced intostrip severingposition, a pin type feeding, device engageable in marginally punchedholes in the strip for positively advancing the strip, a slitter fortrimming the marginallyv punched area from the strip before it reachesthe strip severing position, a pair of pressure rollers between whichthe strip'is advanced, a-relatively dull pressure blade carried by oneof the rollers, a resilient abutment area upon the companion .roll withwhich the blade cooperates to squeeze the striptherebetween withbursting pressure, a supplespective pairs of rollers'at diiferentperipheral speeds whereby the terminal portion of the strip is subjectedto longitudinal pulling strain while the supply portion thereof isgripped between the blade and resilient abutment area, by which theterminal portion of the strip is detached as a separate'sheet, and ,asucceeding pair of feeding rolls to which the detached sheet isdelivered by the intermediate supplemental rolls, said last mentionedrolls being disposed with their axes in a common plane inclined to thecommon plane of the axesof the supplemental intermeiate rolls, andmeansfor driving the latter pair of rolls at a lesser peripheral speed, theconstruction and arrangement being such that the plane of travel of thedetached sheet, through the latter rolls is divergent to. its plane oftravel through the preceding rolls by elevating one edge and depressingthe opposite edge thereby enabling the succeeding sheet being advancedat greater speed by the intermediate rolls to be projected into lappingrelation with the trailing portion of the tilted sheet passing betweenthe final rolls of the series. 2. In a strip severing apparatus whereina continuous strip of material having therein a series of longitudinallyspaced transverse weakened division lines is progressively divided intoa succession of individual sheets, including a strip feeding means, agripper device intermittently subjecting advanced portions of the stripto bursting pressure in proximity to a transverse weakened line thereof,a supplemental feeding tially coincident with the engagement therewithof said gripper device, means for actuating the initial 'strip feedingmeans and said supplemental able a following'detached sheet to advanceinto overlapping relation with a preceding sheet.

3. In a sheet forming and delivery apparatus, feeding means forprogressively feeding a continuous strip of stock material havinglongitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines,

a strip gripping device operable in unison with the feeding means towhich the strip is advanced and operative to divide a predetermined 7advance length .of material from the stock strip,

thereby forming an individual sheet, sheet feeding means advancing thesevered sheet at an accelerated rate of speed beyond that of the stockstrip, means for cocking the strip relative to its previous plane oftravel whereby the leading edge of a succeeding severed sheet mayadvance into underlying lapping relation therewith and for depositingthe severed sheet through a divergent path bf travel into close parallelrelation with. previously deposited sheets. a

4. In a sheet forming and delivery apparatus, a pin type feeding devicehaving operative engagement in longitudinally spaced holes in a strip ofmaterial for advancing the-strip to a strip severing device, slittermeans for progresa strip severing device operable in timed relationfeeding means at different speeds to diflerentially advance the terminalportion of the strip at a greater speed-than the supply portionthereofby whichthe terminal portion of the strip is subjected tolongitudinal pulling strain to iacilitate the severance of the strip ona transverse,

-a succession of individual sheets including with the feeding device fordividing from the advancing strip a sheet comprising a terminal portionof predetermined length, sheet feeding means operable at an increasedspeed for advancing the severed sheet at increased speed, and asucceeding feeding device for the severed sheet operable at lesser speedfeeding the severed sheet in a path of travel inclined to the plane inwhich it is advanced by the preceding feeding means, and a receiver inwhich the severed sheet is deposited thereby.

5.' The herein described method of dividing a continuous strip ofmaterial on longitudinally spaced transverse weakened lines thereof,into he steps of progressively advancing the terminal portion of thestrip past a strip severing position, subjecting a portion thereofcontaining a transverse weakened line to longitudinal tension in theplane of the strip, subjecting the tensioned area thereof to pressure ina direction substantially perpendicular to the plane thereof andsubstantially; coincident with the transverse weakened line andsubjecting the terminal portion of the strip beyond the weakened line toaccelerated advancement.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a strip feeding devicefor'advancing a continuous strip of record material, severing meansoperating in timed sequence with the strip feeding device fortransversely severing succeeding portions of the strip therefrom,take-oil means receiving the severed portion of the strip and advancingit at an accelerated speed, and stacker means for the severed sheetadvancing the sheet in a divergent direction from that in which itleaves the take-off means and depositing the sively advancing a strip ofmaterial to a strip severing position, transversely severing apredetermined length of material therefrom, accelerating the speed ofadvancement of the severed portion of the strip, tilting the plane ofthe severed length of material into inclined relation with its previousplane of advancement, and depositing the severed sheet in a verticalposition contiguous to other previously deposited vertically disposedsheets.

8. The herein described method of dividing a continuous strip of writingmaterial into a succession of individual sheets, including the steps ofpositively advancing a strip of material into strip severing position,simultaneously trimming a longitudinal margin from the strip during itsadvancement, transversely severing the marginally trimmed strip atpredetermined spaced intervals in timed relation with' its advancement,materially accelerating the speed of advancement of the severed sheetbeyond the speed of advancement of the remaining stock portion of thestrip, cocking the advanced severed sheet relative to the path of travelof the succeeding severed sheet, whereby succeeding sheets may advancein lapping relation with preceding sheets, and depositing the severedsheets in parallel continuing succession.

9. In an apparatus for separating a continuous strip of writing materialhaving preformed longitudinally spaced transverse weakened divisionlines, into a succession of individual sheets upon said longitudinallyspaced transverse weakened division lines, including two relativelyspaced pairs of rollers between which the strips pass successive'ly, adevice intermediate the pairs of rollers for subjecting the strip topressure, and means for driving the respective pairs of said rolls atdifferent peripheral speeds whereby succeeding portions of the strip aresubjected to tension and to differential advancement as the terminalportions of the strip are successively separated from thesupply portionof the strip on succeeding transverse weakened division lines,

10. In an apparatus for separating a continuous strip of record materialinto a succession of individual sheets upon longitudinally spacedtransverse weakened division lines, including a pair of rollers betweenwhich the strip is passed, a dull pressure blade carried by one of therollers intermittently engaging the strip upon rotation of the rollers,a yielding abutment area upon the companion-roller against which thestrip is intermittently pressed by the dull blade under burstingpressure, and a second pair of rolls located in spaced relation with thefirst rolls rotatable at an increased rate of speed and havingintermittent engagement with the terminal portion of the stripsubstantially coincident with the pressure engagement of the blade withthe supply portion thereof, the construction and arrangement being suchthat the terminal portion of the strip is subjected to acceleratedadvancement substantially coincident with its separation on a transverseweakened line.

11. In an apparatus for dividing a continuous of the supply striptherefrom as individual sheets, a pair of feeding rollers between whichthe successive sheets are advanced after separation from the supplystrip, a second pair of feeding rollers between which the severed sheetsare advanced from the first rolls, the second pair of rolls beingdisposed with their axes in a common plane divergent to that of thefirst pair of rollers, and

means for driving the respective pairs of rollers at different rates ofspeed whereby the first pair of rollers rotate at a peripheral speedgreater than that of the second pair of rolls, the construction andarrangement being such that the sheet engaged by the second pair ofrollers is advanced in a path divergent to its path through the firstpair of rolls wherein its one edge is depressed and its opposite edge iselevated, thereby permitting the succeeding sheet to advance intolapping relation under influence of the first pair of rolls.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, feeding means for astrip of record material to be severed into succeeding sheets, asupplemental feeding means having engagement with the terminal portionof the strip for advancing a sheet of material severed therefrom, and asecond feeding means receiving the severed sheet from the precedingfeeding means and serving to tilt the severed sheet out of its formerplane of travel into inclined relation with its path of travel to enablelapping relation of succeeding sheets for advancement away from thesevering position.

13. An apparatus wherein a continubus strip of record material havingtherein longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines isprogressively advanced from a source of supply into ripheral speed thanthe advancement of the strip under influence of the feeding means havingoperative engagement with a terminal portion of the strip beyond thetransverse line of engagement of the severing blade and subjecting thesevered portion of the strip to acceleration of its advancement.

' 14. In an apparatus of the character described, a strip feeding meansfor progressively advancing into strip severing position successiveportions of a continuous strip of material having therein transverseweakened division lines, means for temporarily clamping the strip inclose proximity to a weakened division line thereof, pressure meansengageable with the strip substantially at the transverse weakened line,and means for subjecting the terminal portion of the strip beyond theweakened line simultaneously to advancement, by which the terminalportion is separated from the supply portion of the strip on saidtransverse division line.

15. In a strip dividing and sheet stacking apparatus, apin type feedingdevice for positively advancing a continuous strip of material havingstrip of material into a succession of individual sheets, a stripfeeding means for progressively advancing succeeding portions of acontinuous strip of material into sheet severing position, means fordetaching successive terminal portions holes into strip severingposition, trimmer means for removing from the strip the punched marginalarea before the corresponding portion of the strip from which such areais removed reaches the strip severing position, means for transverselysevering 5 a terminal portion of predetermined length from the supplystrip, and means for advancing the sever d"sheet independently of theremainder of thesupply strip and depositing the advanced strip edgewisein upstanding position contiguous to precedin sheets.

16. Ina strip severing apparatus, strip feeding means for progressivelyfeeding into strip severing position a continuous strip of materialhaving longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines uponwhich the strip is to be divided into successive sheets, bursting meanssubjecting the strip to bursting pressure substantially coincident withsuccessive weakened division lines, and pulling means for imparting tothe terminal portion of the strip to be separated an accelerated advancemovement simultaneously with the subection of the strip to burstingpressure.

1'7. In a strip severing apparatus, strip feeding means forprogressively advancing a continuous strip of material having atlongitudinally spaced intervals transverse weakened division lines, adull pressure blade and a resilient abutment therefor between which thestrip is presented with a weakened line of division substantially inregistry with the strip severing position, means for subjecting thestrip to pressure between the blade and abutment, and means forsubjecting the terminal portion of the strip beyond its point ofengagement by the blade to relative advance movement.

18. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material is progressivelyadvanced past a severing position at which it is transversely dividedinto a succession of individual sheets, a strip severing deviceintermittently operative to transversely sever the strip atlongitudinally spaced intervals, strip feeding means for advancing thestrip in timed relation with the operation of the severing device toassure accurate registry of predetermined lines of division at the stripsevering position, and supporting means whereon the strip feeding meansis adiustably mounted for adjustment relative to the severing devicetransversely of the path of the strip to enable strips of differentwidths to be fed to the severing device in any one of several parallelpaths.

l9. In a sheet severing apparatus wherein a continuous strip of materialhaving therein a sion on the initial transverse division line thereof isfacilitated.

aligning feeding device having operative engagement with the continuousstrip of material for advancing the strip past a strip severing device,a trimming device for progressively removing from the stripe. marginalportion thereof, a strip severing device operable in timed relation withsuccession of longitudinally spaced configurations I for operativeengagement of a positive strip feeding device is divided onlongitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines into asuccession of individual sheets, a strip feeding device havingprogressive engagement with the longitudinally spaced configurations ofthe strip for positively advancing successive portions of the strip intostrip severing position, a relatively spaced feeding device havingintermittent engagement with remaining terminal portion of the stripafter detachment of each successive terminal portion therefrom andtending to advance the engaged terminal portion at an accelerated rateof speed, a strip engaging device intermediate the respective feedingdevices engageable with the supply portion of the strip beyond theinitial line of division thereof to resist acceleration of the speed ofsuch supply portion under influence of the acceleration of the terminalportion of the strip by engagement of the secondary feeding devicetherewith, the construction and arrangement being such that the portionof the strip intermediate the intermediate strip engaging deviceand theaccelerated feed device is subjected to tensionin a. longitudinaldirection by which divithe feeding device for dividing from the advancedportion of the strip a sheet comprising a terminal portion thereof ofpredetermined length, and sheet feeding means engageable with theterminal portion of the strip to tension such portion in advance ofoperation of the severing device and then advance the severed sheet atincreased speed independently of the advancement of the remainder of thestrip.

2'1. The herein described method of dividing a continuous strip ofrecord material at longitudinally spaced intervals into a succession ofindividual sheets, including the steps of advancing a strip of materialinto strip severing position, simultaneously trimming a longitudinalmargin from the strip during its advancement, transversely severing themarginally trimmed strip at predetermined spaced intervals in timedrelation with its advancement by'simultaneous tension and pressure onthe terminal portion thereof, and materially accelerating the speed ofadvancement of the severed sheet beyond the speed of advancement of theremaining stock portionof the strip.

22. In a strip dividing and sheet stacking apparatus for recordmaterial, a pin type feeding device for positively advancing acontinuous strip of material having therein asuccession of marginallypunched feed holes into strip severing position, trimmer means forremoving from the strip the punched marginal area before thecorresponding portion of the strip from which such area is removedreaches the strip severing position. means for transversely severing aterminal portion of predetermined length from the supply strip bytension and pressure, feed rolls engageable with the severed sheet foradvancing the severed sheet independently of the remainder of the supplystrip, and a receiver into which the severed sheets are deliveredthereby.

23. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of record material isprogressively advanced past a strip severing position and theretransversely divided at predetermined longitudinally spaced intervalsinto a succession of individual sheets. including a severing deviceoperable in timed sequence to divide the strip at predeterminedlongitudinally spaced intervals, a positive feeding device havingprogressive engagement with the strip for progressively advancing thestrip through successive measured distances in timed relation withoperation of'the strip severing device, and means for subjecting theterminal portion of the strip to tension coincident with the operationof the severing device, the construction and arrangement being such thatequal-longitudinal lengths of the strip are successively advanced pastthe severing position intermediate successive opera-' tions ofthe stripsevering device and are progressively severed from the supply stripsinto a succ'ession ,of sheets of predeterminedsize.

24. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of record material isprogressively advanced past a strip severing position and theretransversely divided at predetermined spaced intervals into a successionindividual sheets, astrip feedingmarginal area thereof simultaneouslywith theadvancement'of the strip, and a strip severing device operablein timed relation with the advance ment of the strip for severing fromthe previously trimmed remainder of the strip a terminal portion ofpredetermined length, said severing device including means forsubjecting the strip to tension and pressure simultaneously.

25. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of record materialhavingtherein longitudinally spaced configurations is progressivelyadvanced past a strip severing position and there transversely dividedinto a succession of individual sheets, including an intermittentlyoperative strip severing device, actuating means for operating thesevering device at timed intervals to sever successive terminal portionsfrom the strip, means for subjecting the strip to tension coincidentwith the operation of the severing device, a strip feeding device havingpositive engagement with the longitudinally spaced configurations of thestrip for advancing the strip in timed relation with the operation ofthe severing device, the construction and arrangement being such thatthe strip feeding device and the strip severing device are sosynchronized that predetermined longitudinally spaced transverse linealportions of the strip are presented in registry with the strip severingposition simultaneously with the operation of the strip severing device.26. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of record material havingtherein longitudinallyspaced configurations is progressively advancedpast a strip severing position and there transversely divided into asuccession of individual sheets, including an intermittently operativestrip severing device, actuating means for operating the severing deviceat timed intervals to sever successive terminal portions from the strip,means for subjecting the terminal portion of the strip to tensioncoincident with the operation of the severing device, a strip feedingdevice having positive engagement with the longitudinally spacedconfigurations of the strip for advancing the strip in timed relationwith the operation of the severing device, and a slitting device forlongitudinally dividing the strip progressively with its advancement,the construction and arrangement being such that the strip feedingdevice and the strip severing device are so synchronized that oneportion of the slit strip is transversely divided at predeterminedspaced intervals into individual sheets of predetermined size.

27. In an apparatus for trimming and transversely dividing a continuousstrip of record material having longitudinally spaced configurationsinto individual sheets, a positive strip feeding device havingengagement with relatively spaced configurations of the strip to advancethe strip, a strip dividing device intermittently operable in timedrelation with the advancement of the strip-to transversely divide thestrip in accordance with the degree of advancement thereof, andincluding means for subjecting the strip to coincident tension andpressure, and a trimming device for removing from the material thefeeding configurations thereof, the construction and arrangement beingsuch that the dividing device and trimming device cooperate to produceindividual sheets of uniform size.

28. In a strip feeding and severing apparatus, strip feeding means forpositively advancing a continuous strip of material having atlongitudinally spaced intervals transverse weakened di-- vision linesthrough successive measured distances to present succeeding transversedivision linesin strip severing position, a pressure bladeintermittently engageable with the strip substantially coincident withsucceeding spaced transverse weakenedlines while positioned at stripsevering position, and clamping means engageable with the strip inproximate relation with the positioned transverse weakened division lineslightly in advance of the engagement with the strip of the dullpressure blade by which the strip is momentarily held'against thetension induced by engagement of the pressure blade until such tensionexceeds the limit of resistance of said transverse weakened line tobursting strain.

29. In a strip feeding and severing apparatus, strip feeding means forpositively .advanclng a continuous strip of material having atlongitudinally spaced intervals transverse weakened division lines,through successive measured distances to present succeeding transversedivision lines in at opposite sides of the transverse weakened linewhile positioned at strip severing position, and a pressure deviceexerting pressure upon the strip intermediate the gripping devices toincrease the tension of the strip therebetween beyond the resistance ofthe transverse weakened line to bursting strain.

' 3D. The herein described method .of transversely dividing a continuousstrip of material upon relatively spaced transverse weakened lines,including the steps of momentarily holding the strip at opposite sidesof a transverse weakened line under sumcient engagement to resisttension strain thereon and subjecting the strip intermediate said heldpoints to increased tension pressure beyond the limit of resistance ofthe transverse weakened line to bursting strain.

31. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material havinglongitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines isautomatically divided on said lines into a succession of sheets,including a pair of relatively spaced strip engaging devices havingfeeding engagement with the strip, means for driving one of the feedingdevices at an accelerated rate of speed, and means intermediate theengaging devices of the pair for intermittently engaging the stripsubstantially at a weakened division line and momentarily resistingadvancement of the strip by the strip engaging device driven at anaccelerated rate of speed, to thereby increase the longitudinal tensionof the strip and facilitate rupture of the strip at a transverseweakened line thereof.

32. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material havinglongitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines isautomatically divided onsaid lines into a succession of sheets,

division line within said intermediate portion. 33. An apparatus whereina continuous strip 4 of material having longitudinally spaced transverseweakened division lines is automatically divided on said lines into asuccession of sheets, including a strip feeding device, a strip graspingand tensioning means intermittently engageable with the terminal portionof the strip, and strip engaging means operative in opposition to--thestrip tensioning .means to momentarily resist advancement of the stripthereby and tension a terminal portion-of the strip'having therein atransverse weakened division line to facilitate transverse rupture ofthe strip on said division line.

34. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material having thereintransverse weakened division lines is automatically divided intosuccessive sheets on said transverse weakened lines, including a stripfeeding device, a pair of rolls between which the strip is advancedhaving peripheral speed equal to the rate of advancement of the strip bythe feeding device and intermittently engageable with the stripsubstantially at each succeeding transverse weakened division line, anda strip grasping and tensioning means intermittently engageable, withthe terminal end of the strip simultaneously with its engagement by saidrolls for tensioning a terminal portion of the strip having therein atransverse weakened line to faoilitate transverse rupture of the stripat said weakened line upon which the tenninal portion of the strip isdivided from the body thereof.

35. An apparatus for dividing a continuous strip of material onlongitudinally spaced transverse weakened lines into a succession ofindividual sheets. including an aligning feed device having positivefeeding engagement with the strip, trimming means past which the stripis advanced by the positive aligning feed device by which marginaltraction portions are removed from the strip, strip tensioning means towhich the trimmed portion of the strip is advanced. by which theterminal portion of the strip is tensioned to facilitate rupture of thestrip at a transverse weakened line thereof, and protective meanspreventing subjection of the aligning feed device to the pullinginfluence of the strip tenslonlng means.

36. In a sheet severing apparatus wherein a continuous strip of materialhaving therein a succession of longitudinally spaced conflgurations foroperative engagement of a positive strip feeding device is divided onlongitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines into asuccession of individual sheets, a strip feeding device havingprogressive engagement with the longitudinally spaced configurations ofthe strip for positively advancing successive portions of the strip intostrip severing position, a relatively spaced strip engaging devicehaving intermittent engagement with the terminal ortion of the strip andtending to advance the strip at an accelerated rate of speed, a stripengaging device intermediate the respective strip feeding devicescngageable with the supply portion of the strip substantially at theinitial line of division thereof to resist acceleration of the speed oftravel of the supply portion of the strip under influence of therelatively spaced strip engaging device, the construction andarrangement being such that the portion of the strip intermediate theintermediate strip engaging device and the relatively spaced acceleratedstrip engaging device is subject to tension in a longitudinal directionA by which division on the initial transverse division line thereof isfacilitated.

37. In a sheet severing apparatus wherein a continuous strip of materialhaving therein a succession of longitudinally spaced configurations foroperative engagement of apositive strip feeding device is divided on'longitudinally spaced transverse weakened dlvision lines into asuccession of individual sheets, a strip feeding device havingprogressive engagement with the longitudinally spaced configurations ofthe strip for positively advancing successive portions of the strip intostrip severing position, a relatively.

tively spaced accelerated strip engaging device is subjected to pressurein a vertical direction and to tension in a longitudinal direction bywhich division on the initial transverse division line thereof isfacilitated.

38. A strip feeding and dividing apparatus wherein a continuous strip ofmaterial having longitudinally spaced weakened transverse division linestherein is progressively advanced past a strip severing position, stripfeeding means having operative engagement with the strip for advancingthe strip in timed relation with the strip severing Operation, striptensioning means for subjecting a portion of the strlpcontiguous to atransverse weakened line to tension to facilitate transverse rupture ofthe strip coincident with such transverse weakened line, and grippermeans in advance of the strip feeding device and rearwardly of the striptensioning means for momentarily clamping the contiguous portion of thestrip in opposition to the tensioning influence while tension. is beingapplied to the strip and then releasing the strip.

39. In a strip feeding and severing apparatus, a strip feeding devicefor advancing a continuous strip of material having longitudinallyspaced transverse weakened lines into a strip severing position,relatively spaced strip engaging members having intermittentsimultaneous engagement with the strip at opposite sides of a transverseweakened division line thereof, including a pair of rollers engageablewith the terminal portion of the strip and having peripheral speedgreater than the speed of advancement of the strip by the strip feedingdevice, and a clamping device engageable with the strip substantially atthe weakened line thereof.

40. An apparatus for dividing a continuous strip of material onlongitudinally spaced transverse weakened lines into a succession oi.individual sheets, including an aligning feed device having positivefeeding engagement with the strip, a strip engagin e e spaced from thealigning feed device and operative at increased speed, engageable withthe terminal portion of the stripin spaced relation with the first feedmeans beyond a transverse weakened division line of the strip andcoacting with the strip to exert advance movement thereon, andprotective means preventing subjection of the feed means to the pullinginfluence of the second engaging means.

41. A strip feeding and dividing apparatus wherein a continuous strip ofmaterial having longitudinally spaced weakened transverse division linestherein is progressively advanced past a strip severing position, stripfeeding means having positive engagement with a marginal portion of thestrip for advancing the strip in timed relation with the strip severingoperation, a trim- 'ming device for removing from the strip the marginalportion engaged by the feeding device, means for tensioning the stripbeyond the tensile resistance of the strip coincident with the transfromthe tension influence upon the'strip.

42. In a strip feeding and dividing apparatus, a strip feeding devicehaving positive engagement therewith to advance a strip having therein asuccession of longitudinally spacedtranverse weakened division linespast a severing position, strip tensioning means, a strip gripperintermittently effective on the strip and interposed between thetensioning means and the strip feeding means, and common actuating meanstherefor operating the feeding device, gripper and tensioning means intimed sequence, the construction and arrangement being such that thestrip is intermittently tensioned coincident with succeeding transverseweakened lines beyond the tensile resistance thereof while being held bythe gripper in opposition to such tensioning influence whereby theportion of the strip engaged by the feeding device is not subject to thetensioning strain.

43. The herein described method of dividing a continuous strip of recordmaterial upon longttudinally spaced transverse weakened division linesinto a succession of individual sheets, including the steps ofprogressively advancing the terminal portion of the strip having thereina transverse weakened line, past a severing position, grasping theadvanced portion thereof at opposite sides of the transverse divisionZine, applying pressure substantially perpendicularl: to the plane ofthe grasped area of the strip and substantially coincident with thetransverse weakened line, and subiecting the terminal portion of thestrip beyond the weakened line to accelerated advancement.

CERTIFlCATE OFVCORRECTION. Patent No. 2,252,755. August 19, 1.91 1.

JOHN Q. SHERMAN, ET AL.

It is hereby certified tnaterror appears in the printed specification ofthe aboire numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2,second column, lir le 65, for "mor" read -more-; page 5, second column,line ii, for "59 read --29-; page 5, first column, line 50, claim 10,after "me.- terisl insert "having preformed longitudinally spacedtransverse weakened division lines-;; line 51, same claim, after "upon"insert i P 6, first column, line 17, claim 16, for "subection" readsubjection; and that the said Letters Patent should be reedwith thiscorrection therein that the same may conform to the record oi the casein the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of October,- A. 1).. 19m.

Henry Van Arsdale, Acting Commissioner of Patents..

